While some critics contend that The Importance of Being Earnest is completely fanciful and has no relation to the real world, others maintain that Oscar Wilde’s trivial comedy for serious people does make significant comments about social class and the institution of marriage. These observations include the prevalent utilization of deceit in everyday affairs. Indeed the characters and plot of the play appear to be entirely irreverent, thus lending weight to the comedic, fanciful aspect. However, this same factor also serves to illuminate the major points that Wilde tries to convey about the English society in which he lived. Throughout the course of the play, Wilde portrays each of the main characters in a way that reflects his views of the English aristocracy. Algernon Mon crieff and Jack (Ernest) Worthington represent the prototypical male bachelors.
In the opening act, set in Algernon’s flat, the two meet and display what appears to be their usual daily activities. Neither is employed, and it is apparent that their only occupation is the pursuit of leisure activities and social matters, subjects of major importance to them. When Algernon inquires as to the purpose of Ernest’s visit to town, Ernest replies, “Oh pleasure, pleasure! What else should bring anyone preliminary qualifications that he must meet before being engaged to Gwendolyn. These include money, family, and politics.
When Ernest does not meet the qualifications, he is denied Gwendolyn. In the second act, the relationship between Algy and Jack’s ward, Cecily, parallel Ernest and Gwendolyn relationship. After certain flirting rituals, Cecily admits to Algy that she loves him for his name, Ernest, and his image of being “wicked.” When Algy proposes, Cecily declares that they had already been engaged for three months, an engagement that she had imagined. When the proposal is announced, Cecily is only accepted by Lady Bracknell because she has enough money to support Algy’s lifestyle. Through the two relationships of Ernest (Jack) and Gwendolyn and Ernest (Algy) and Cecily, Wilde conveys the notion that love of such kinds is entirely arbitrary, and relationships are based on deceit. Marriages, he contends, are simply an alliance between families to preserve the aristocracy.
The end of the play culminates in the planning of marriages of Ernest to Gwendolyn and Algy to Cecily. These marriages are made available only because Jack (Ernest) discovers his true identity as one belonging to the Bracknell family. When this is established, Ernest is allowed to marry Gwendolyn and it seems as though he will allow Cecily to marry Algernon. However, the identity Ernest discovers is the same that he has lied about throughout the entire play. Thus, the relationships forged arbitrarily on.